Khattak, Said accused of spending millions in ‘home’ constituencies

Apparently diverted LG funds to their respective areas

PESHAWAR: The ex-CM and finance minister under the PTI-led provincial government spent around Rs837 million in the outgoing fiscal year, mostly in their home constituency despite an apparent ban by the top court.

Former chief minister Pervez Khattak and K-P Finance Minister Muzaffar Said had managed to secure the funds from monies earmarked for the local government.



Centre for Governance and Public Accountability (CGPA) in a statement have claimed that of Rs837 million in development funds, Rs280 million were at the discretion of the former finance minister while a further Rs557 million were at the discretion of the former chief minister.

Of this, Rs490 million was allocated for development in Nowshera, the constituency of Khattak. A further Rs200 million was allocated for Lower Dir, the hometown of Said.



In comparison, Swabi received Rs55 million, Lakki Marwat Rs19 million, Charsadda Rs18.7 million, Peshawar Rs11.3 million, Mardan Rs10.1 million, Swat Rs8 million, Malakand Rs7 million, Chitral Rs5.5 million, Buner Rs5 million, Karak Rs2.7 million, Upper Dir Rs1.7 million, Bannu and Haripur Rs1 million each and Mansehra Rs0.7 million. Areas such as Kohistan, Shangla, Hangu, Tank, Torghar, Battagram, DI Khan, Kohat and Abbottabad were apparently ignored in the discretionary funds. 

Published in The Express Tribune, June 30^th, 2018.